Obituary of Elizabeth DeSantis

WESTFIELD - Elizabeth (Andronica) DeSantis, age 87, died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at Absolut Care in Westfield following a brief illness. She had resided at 163 East Main Street after moving to Westfield in 1992. Mrs. DeSantis, the daughter of the late Rocco and Josephine (Campanella) Andronica, was born February 20, 1925 in Erie, PA. Elizabeth graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1943 and married Matthew DeSantis in 1944. After a brief employment with General Electric in Erie, she and her husband, Matthew attended Central Bible Institute of Springfield, Missouri and then became international missionaries for the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (IFCA) beginning in the year 1953. They served as missionaries mostly in Northern Europe but also worked extensively in the Southern Hemisphere as well. Elizabeth was fluent in four languages. Her ministry encompassed all facets of missionary work from education, children's ministry, planting and building churches and music. She brought the women's ministry to the countries of Europe and translated all the curriculum. By the end of 2007 she and her husband had founded over 100 churches and crossed the ocean 76 times. Mrs. DeSantis attended Lakeshore Assembly of God. She is survived by her husband, Matthew DeSantis; one brother, Joseph Andron of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; four sisters, Victoria Tedesco of Circleville, Ohio; Catherine LaPorte of Westfield, NY; Frances Gligora of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Dorothy Pecoraro of Lake Worth, FL; one step sister, Katie LaPlaca of Erie, PA; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her step father, Eugene Cervero and step sister, Manuella Buzzanco. Friends may call on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm at The Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street in Westfield. There will be an additional hour of viewing at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 14 at Lakeshore Assembly of God, 252 East Main Street in Westfield, prior to the service which will take place at noon. Pastor Vincent Sanzo will be officiating. Committal service will be held at the Westfield Cemetery immediately following. Memorials may be made to Lakeshore Assembly of God, 252 East Main Street, Westfield, NY 14787 or Erie Christian Assembly, 2417 Liberty Street, Erie, PA 16502. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the DeSantis family a message of sympathy.